Hi @happynyc if you’re a Creator, you have the option to use Gemini wallet. If you’re a non-Creator you’ll have to wait till it’s implemented - a rollout this year I believe.
So, I don’t think you’ve wasted time 
I may be wrong, and someone please correct me if I am, but I thought you don’t need a verified wallet to buy swag?..
Edit: so, yeah, you don’t need a verified wallet, and actually you can’t use BAT in a verified wallet… @happynyc this was told to you, in fact 